Abia State Governor Alex Otti has promised not to suppress opposition voices as Nigeria heads into peak of campaigns for the 2027 general election.
To prove his seriousness Otti directed that public facilities in the state should not be closed to the candidates and members of opposition parties.
Addressing his supporters at Umuahia Township Stadium during the flag-off of the Labour Party’s campaign he also promised that his administration would not demolish any property of individuals for being in the opposition.
The governor expressed confidence that his achievements would guarantee him a second tenure saying: ‘I have since given an order and I am repeating it here that opposition parties should not be restricted from using public facilities including this stadium.
‘Never again will anybody’s fence be demolished for being in the opposition.’
Otti who recalled how a fence belonging to his supporter was demolished by the previous administration in the state said such a vindictive measure would not be applied by his administration against his challengers and their supporters.
The governor charged LP stakeholders to deliver the party in their localities.
He said ‘The request for another term was aimed at consolidating the multi-sectoral gains recorded by his administration in the last 41 months.
‘Our service to Abia State is the greatest honour of our lifetime; we are grateful to our people for their support and commitment to our administration’s development agenda.’
Otti said the enthusiasm demonstrated by supporters at the campaign takeoff reflected their determination to see the sustainment of the state’s ongoing transformation.
According to him his quest for re-election is not based on entitlement but on the need to continue providing responsive and accountable governance to the people.
Speaker of the state House of Assembly Emmanuel Emeruwa said the next House of Assembly in the state should be dominated by the Labour Party to avoid impeachment plots against the governor.